In the coastal Californian town of Pacific Grove, the monarch butterfly is more than an insect; it's an identity. Murals adorn buildings, businesses bear its name, and a local law protects it with a $1,000 fine for interference. This community proudly calls itself 'Butterfly Town, USA.' Yet, this iconic species is on the brink of vanishing, with western populations collapsing by more than 99% since the 1980s.
A Sanctuary in Crisis
Pacific Grove has long been a crucial overwintering site for monarchs migrating from the Pacific Northwest. In past years, tens of thousands would cluster in the town's sanctuary, creating breathtaking orange clouds. A December count in 2022 recorded nearly 16,000 butterflies. This season, during a similar period, volunteers counted just 107. Experts now warn western monarchs have a nearly 100% chance of extinction by 2080 if trends continue.
"It's important to recognise that Butterfly Town is about living creatures that need our help, not just orange-and-black merchandise," stressed Natalie Johnston, education manager at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History.
The Citizen Scientists' Vigil
Hope is being carried by a band of dedicated volunteers. On a recent December morning, Johnston and a team of 'citizen scientists' conducted their weekly count in the sanctuary. Armed with binoculars and clipboards, they peered up into eucalyptus trees, where butterflies hung like darkened chandeliers.
Volunteer Kat Morgan, a self-described "data geek," explained her motivation: "My job is to help people fall in love with the butterflies... so that they'll take action." That day's final tally was 226—a far cry from historical numbers but the highest weekly count of the 2025 season in Pacific Grove, offering a fragile glimmer of hope.
A Perfect Storm of Threats
The reasons for the catastrophic decline are multifaceted. Rampant coastal development since the 1980s has destroyed habitat. The climate crisis, bringing warmer summers and drought, exacerbates the problem. Emma Pelton, a senior conservation biologist with the Xerces Society, noted that overwintering sites like Pacific Grove are now "green space in a sea of houses."
However, the most visceral threat recently has been pesticides. In early 2024, Pacific Grove was the epicentre of a monarch 'mass mortality event.' Hundreds of butterflies died after exposure, with volunteers witnessing horrific convulsions. A subsequent study found 15 different pesticides in their systems, though the specific source remained untraceable—an unsolved case that left biologists frustrated.
"There were dead bodies," Pelton said, "but no weapon, no perpetrator." The incident sparked a local campaign, with Johnston distributing brochures urging residents to avoid pesticides and plant native flora, reminding them: "Monarch butterflies depend on you!"
Despite a proposal by the US Fish and Wildlife Service to list the monarch as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, a final decision is delayed. For now, the fate of Butterfly Town's namesake rests in the hands of its passionate community, fighting to ensure the monarch's delicate wings continue to flutter against the odds.
